Former AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie says that Zlatan Ibrahimovic told him he will fit in well at Barcelona.
Speaking during his unveiling recently as a new Barcelona player (via Milan News), Kessie explained that he spoke to Ibrahimovic about the chance to join Barcelona on a free transfer and the Swede told him that he would fit in at the Spanish club.
“I’ve spoken to Ibrahimovic, yes, and he told me that I’ll fit in well. My position on the pitch will be decided by the coach, I just think about working,” Kessie said.
Ibrahimovic spent two seasons at Barcelona between 2009 and 2011. He managed to score 16 times in 29 games for the Blaugrana but it was not one of his more successful moves.
He was then loaned to Milan and eventually joined permanently for his first spell with the Rossoneri.
Kessie was out of contract with Milan at the end of the 2021/22 title-winning season and much of the discourse around the player for the first half of the campaign was about his future.
It soon became clear that he would not be renewing and he then agreed on terms with Barcelona. He said that he has a great desire to get started.
“I want to get to know the coach and the players, I have a great desire to start. I will have to work hard to have a career like that of my idol, Yaya Touré, who was a very complete footballer,” he said.
I can’t lie, he won’t fit in well in my opinion. Most players in that league are atleast a bit technical and Kessie is not that in any way. Kessie would fit in a Premier League type environment imo
I partially agree. He is probably just a notch below with his technical abilities. BUT, he can make up the difference with his smarts in positioning and his work rate. Many players would not fit because that gap is just too big.Kessie showed in the 2021-22 season how good he is and that is plenty enough at Barcelona. Naturally,he will have to perform at the same level as one year ago.
I hope he also remembers how his idol was treated by klopp?
Klopp never coached Yaya Toure. At least not the Toure I know.
I meant pep, the Barca setup didn’t seem to favor Africans, hope he remembers that too
I am not 100% sure that wasn’t a dig at Kessie, considering Ibra being himself and also his Barca story. He said multiple times he was unhappy there and couldn’t wait to leave.
Ibra prorok je rekao da če bit DOBRO !! i gotovo !!!!
Can’t wait to see Kessie play Tiki-Taka 😀
Couldn’t care less.